The Future of Air Mobility accelerator (FoAM) is a challenge-led, 6-month accelerator programme powered by Connected Places Catapult and in partnership with the Future Flight Challenge from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The Catapult will select up to 12 SMEs to join the programme where they will receive support from a consortium of industry, government, academic and regulatory partners on the trial and testing of disruptive innovations. Through a focus on new and emerging challenges within the aviation ecosystem, FoAM will work alongside a consortium of partners to ensure that the programme tackles significant sector challenges and de-risks innovation in the marketplace.

The SMEs selected will have the opportunity to trial their solutions and will be guided through a bespoke programme tailored to their requirements. The programme will include investment readiness, technology and product development support, alongside introductions to aviation stakeholders and potential customers. These activities will be co-designed with the cohort of SMEs to support them in growing their businesses and adapting their propositions to the partners’ requirements.

This application support webinar will cover the overall programme vision, the journey of the programme to date, the programme challenges and guidance on the application process.

To find more about the programme and to apply, simply click here.

SMEs working on new aviation technologies get support to scale.

Alongside access to funding for trials and testbeds for demonstrations, the SMEs received mentorship and support from a consortium of industry partners, academic institutions, and regulatory bodies. These included: UK Civil Aviation Authority, British Standards Institute, AGS Airports, Heathrow Airport, GKN Aerospace, Supernal, Cranfield University, Coventry University, with access to the facilities at Snowdonia Aerospace. 

The programme demonstrated not only the art of the possible for new aviation technologies but how, by collaborating across the industry, we can test, validate, and accelerate these technologies to market successfully. The SMEs on the programme represented an array of technologies, from simulations of how flying taxis could integrate into the skies of London; to demonstrating new systems and technologies that power the future of flight; to supporting airports to achieve net zero through autonomy, airside asset monitoring and optimising energy usage.  

Connected Places Catapult delivered the programme in partnership with Plus X, where together they supported the SMEs through a bespoke programme tailored to their requirements. This included support on areas such as investment readiness, business modelling and product development, alongside introductions to aviation stakeholders and investors through networking events.  

The programme was co-designed with the SMEs to scale their businesses and adapt their propositions to the requirements of the partners and the wider industry. The funded trials together with mentorship provided, supported the cohort in raising over £5.5 million in investment, securing over £6 million in grant funding, securing new commercial clients, alongside creating over 65 new jobs whilst on the programme. 

The programme culminated with a Demo Day exhibition and VIP Dinner at Aerospace Bristol, where the SMEs showcased their achievements from their trials to a rich audience of industry, government, investor and policy leaders. Followed by an evening of fine dining and networking underneath the imposing Concorde. 

To learn more about the programme and the SMEs that were selected for cohort 1, make sure to watch the programme showreel video. 

Connected Places Catapult would like to thank all the partners and contributors involved. The team is excited to be scoping out the second programme to support more SMEs in this space, due to launch in Autumn 2022. 

If you are interested in being involved in the next programme, either as a partner or SME, please reach out to Alice Johnson, Accelerator Team Lead.

Find out more about our work in Aviation here.

Hear from the consortium here:

A more cohesive approach to accelerating the uptake of zero emission vehicles – from buses and cars to bikes and scooters – across the UK’s city regions is vital if ambitious city-wide and national decarbonisation targets are to be achieved, a new report urges.

Transport is the single biggest contributor (by sector) to UK greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for 27% of emissions, with 91% of this from road transport*. Decarbonising transport will therefore be vital if the UK’s national target of net zero emissions by 2050 is to be met, as well as city region’s own net zero ambitions, of which target dates range from 2030 to 2048.

The report sets out the challenges city regions face in decarbonising urban vehicles, which includes private vehicles as well as public sector fleets, and also the opportunities to overcome barriers and make real progress.

The challenges, examined across six themes (see notes to editors), range from staffing capacity at local authorities, a lack of cohesive national policy and the absence of strategic and coordinated funding, whilst opportunities are presented in further devolution of powers to city regions, innovation and infrastructure design.

The report also sets out a roadmap detailing how the journey to net zero by 2050 is achieved through each of the six themes.

The report concludes by saying, ‘The Government has made decarbonising vehicle fleets a policy priority and made significant funding available for this task. However, the report finds that there is a need for greater cohesion of national policy with less fragmentation between both the approach taken to different transport modes (cars, buses, taxis, new mobility and so on) as well as with the provision of supporting green energy infrastructure. If all urban vehicles are to be decarbonised as rapidly and efficiently as possible then there is also a need for government to involve the city regions more closely in the formulation and implementation of policy.’

The findings of the report drew on interviews with officers from Urban Transport Group’s member transport authorities, workshops conducted by Connected Places Catapult and an online survey with key external stakeholders.

Decarbonising transport will therefore be vital if the UK’s national target of net zero emissions by 2050 is to be met, as well as city region’s own net zero ambitions, of which target dates range from 2030 to 2048.

The report sets out the challenges city regions face in decarbonising urban vehicles, which includes private vehicles as well as public sector fleets, and also the opportunities to overcome barriers and make real progress.

The report also sets out a roadmap detailing how the journey to net zero by 2050 is achieved through each of the six themes.

The report concludes by saying, ‘The Government has made decarbonising vehicle fleets a policy priority and made significant funding available for this task. However, the report finds that there is a need for greater cohesion of national policy with less fragmentation between both the approach taken to different transport modes (cars, buses, taxis, new mobility and so on) as well as with the provision of supporting green energy infrastructure. If all urban vehicles are to be decarbonised as rapidly and efficiently as possible then there is also a need for government to involve the city regions more closely in the formulation and implementation of policy.’

The findings of the report drew on interviews with officers from Urban Transport Group’s member transport authorities, workshops conducted by Connected Places Catapult and an online survey with key external stakeholders.